HI, I am having problems trying to diagnose what is wrong with my 1 year old black rock. She has a choking type spasm which seems to stop her in her tracks, she is constantly shaking her head like trying to shake something free from her mouth, I have just wormed them all with Flubenvet and they have A.C.V and Verm-X once a month. They are totally free ranging in orchards. She is eating normally and laying every day and is looking healthy apart from the symptoms I have described. She has no discharge from her nose or eyes and sinuses look good, and her droppings are o.k. I wondered if it could be Gapeworm even though I have just wormed them? I would be most grateful for any advice.
mystery choking type motions in 1 year old black rock chicke
- Thread starter malachy
- Start date
foxy
Active member
Gapeworm is actually not that common, however it is often recommended that if gapeworm is suspected a second course of flubenvet may be required.
Twisting of the neck, gaping and coughing may be symptoms of another problem, either respiratory infection or possibly canker which can cause discomfort and lead to further problems. Look inside the mouth for any redness, cheesy looking spots.
Respiratory infections, check for any breathing changes, wheezing or "mouth breathing" where the beak is opened slightly for most of the time. Sometimes infection sits lower and is embedded the lower respiratory tract so upper respiratory symptoms are not necessarily present as sniffles or discharge from eyes or nostrils.
It may be an idea to get a vet familiar with poultry to have a look at her.
Check on our website for more information, here are a couple links, if you use the search facility you can browse though our extensive article library:
http://poultrykeeper.com/digestive-system-problems/gape-worm-or-syngamus-trachea
http://poultrykeeper.com/respiratory-problems/
Twisting of the neck, gaping and coughing may be symptoms of another problem, either respiratory infection or possibly canker which can cause discomfort and lead to further problems. Look inside the mouth for any redness, cheesy looking spots.
Respiratory infections, check for any breathing changes, wheezing or "mouth breathing" where the beak is opened slightly for most of the time. Sometimes infection sits lower and is embedded the lower respiratory tract so upper respiratory symptoms are not necessarily present as sniffles or discharge from eyes or nostrils.
It may be an idea to get a vet familiar with poultry to have a look at her.
Check on our website for more information, here are a couple links, if you use the search facility you can browse though our extensive article library:
http://poultrykeeper.com/digestive-system-problems/gape-worm-or-syngamus-trachea
http://poultrykeeper.com/respiratory-problems/
Many thanks Foxy for your advice. She has now developed mucous and blood which is being srayed around the coop and I can actually see mucous being ficked around outside. She is otherwise still eating and laying daily however her egg colour has gone from brown to white? My thoughts now are should I cull this bird before it gets worse and my other birds become infected? Would appreciate your thoughts Foxy. 
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chrismahon
Well-known member
Hi Malachy. Could be a tumour forming in the throat. It will be full of blood vessels so to force breathing she will clear it. Can't see a solution. I can't agree with you Malachy, as it shouldn't be infectious. It doesn't appear to be a disease or infection so she may sort herself out.
Have you had a vets advice about her? It does sound as if it might be a respiratory infection, or mycoplasma, which are very common in poultry and also infectious to the other hens and tend to recur once a bird has them.
I would be loth to leave a hen in contact with the rest of my flock if blood and mucus was being sprayed around the coop, though by now, of she is infectious, it will, have spread in any case. Is it possible to separate her?
I would be loth to leave a hen in contact with the rest of my flock if blood and mucus was being sprayed around the coop, though by now, of she is infectious, it will, have spread in any case. Is it possible to separate her?
foxy
Active member
Blood and mucus coupled with respiratory symptoms indicates an infection of the upper respiratory tract and involving the trachea..this presents with a "cawing" and stretching and or gaping. It would need a diagnosis from a vet to confirm this however, and although gapeworm is actually uncommon it may be worth excluding for sure.
So if we assume that this is infectious in origin, then it is likely that this chicken will be carrying the infection and there is the possibility to infect your flock.
Tumours of the throat are unusual,most cases they are neurological or affect the abdominal organs liver, kidney, etc... in most cases the diseases that cause tumours in chickens are themselves infectious.
Another point to consider is the welfare of the bird, I am not for one minute intimating that you are not doing everything you can, but they are a predated species so very good at masking signs of ill health.
Hope this helps!
So if we assume that this is infectious in origin, then it is likely that this chicken will be carrying the infection and there is the possibility to infect your flock.
Tumours of the throat are unusual,most cases they are neurological or affect the abdominal organs liver, kidney, etc... in most cases the diseases that cause tumours in chickens are themselves infectious.
Another point to consider is the welfare of the bird, I am not for one minute intimating that you are not doing everything you can, but they are a predated species so very good at masking signs of ill health.
Hope this helps!
HI, Many thanks for your advice on this subject. The latest update on the bird is as follows: No evidence of any blood or mucous in the coop, no discharge from nasal area, still laying every day and eating and drinking normally and moving around normally. Droppings normal. But she has still got the cawing and shaking of the head as if trying to clear her throat? Have her separated from the others which she does not like at all. Good news is the rest of the flock are not infected by what ever it is. She does not seem distressed by all this and I will not let her get that bad? Will keep you all updated, Regards Malachy. 19
19Hi, Just an update on the above subject. Well she made it !!!! she has made a full recovery and is back with the flock, all of my birds seem healthy and laying flat out . Maybe i was lucky trying to keep my birds drug free??? Many thanks for all the advice, Regards Malachy.
